Disneyland’s Napa Rose Expands Its Whiskey Offerings Into One of California’s Largest Collections

Interior with Christmas tree at Disney Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland resort, Anaheim, California, December 23, 2024. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

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Disneyland is often called the “Happiest Place on Earth.” If you enjoy whiskey and live in Southern California, you might agree. Many know about Club 33, the exclusive members‑only bar tucked inside the park. Far less attention goes to the impressive whiskey selection at Napa Rose, the resort’s fine‑dining restaurant that is open to everyone.

Located just off the grand lobby of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, beverage director Patrick Kirchen is quietly assembling one of the region’s most extensive whiskey collections. The lineup already exceeds 170 bottles, featuring rare finds like a 1940 Macallan Fine & Rare and celebrated pours such as the Balvenie 40 Rare Marriages. And this is only the beginning.

Although Napa Rose opened 25 years ago as an upscale venue on the park’s periphery, it only resumed operations earlier this year following a major renovation. Since then, Kirchen and his team have intensified their efforts to grow the whiskey offerings, aiming to match the resort’s already impressive wine cellar. The expansion goes well beyond scarce, limited‑edition bottles.

“It’s special to have rare bottles like that, which guests know are incredibly difficult to find elsewhere,” Kirchen explains. “But at the same time, we still maintain a great approachable collection, offering the Macallan 12, 15, 18, 20, and 25, as well as the Highland Park 12, 15, 18, and 25 for guests to try. It is ultimately the storytelling that intrigues and excites guests when they know we have these rare bottles available.”

Indeed, simply pointing at a $11,250 (1.5‑ounce) pour of scotch on the menu often sparks lively conversation between guests and staff—a phenomenon Kirchen notes regularly. “We regularly host whiskey enthusiasts who tour the hotel, admire our collection, and exchange stories and photos of their personal cabinets,” he remarks. Yet he finds equal joy in introducing newcomers to the spirit. “It’s especially rewarding when guests with no prior whiskey experience arrive, learn, taste, and depart with a newfound appreciation—often without realizing just how much they’ve enjoyed it.”

While the restaurant’s proximity to one of the nation’s top tourist draws guarantees an international clientele, Napa Rose is also attracting local whiskey aficionados who may not be staying overnight or even entering the park. Their interests range from a reasonably priced pour of Michter’s 10 Bourbon to an orange‑wine‑cask‑finished American whiskey crafted exclusively for the bar, or Kirchen’s personal pick—a cask‑strength Harvest Rye from Olde St. Nick. Some even opt for the Sequoia Skyline, a cocktail that incorporates genuine redwood smoke.

To entice these visitors, Napa Rose has launched whiskey‑pairing dinners that showcase distillers from some of the globe’s most esteemed brands. The series is set to roll out later this year. In the interim, Kirchen continues to pursue the next rare bottle for the back bar.

“We’re still hoping to secure a Port Ellen 40‑Year‑Old Ghost & Rare, distilled before the famed Islay distillery shuttered in 1983,” he tells Forbes. He describes the acquisition process as requiring patience, strong partnerships with the right suppliers, thorough research, and awareness of global trends.

Having Disney’s purchasing power behind him certainly helps when negotiating with key whiskey distributors, though securing those highly allocated releases is never a sure thing. A venue must prove it will treat such spirits with respect—and move them regularly. Napa Rose meets that standard. “Distributors are beginning to see the hotel in a much more favorable light,” Kirchen adds. “They recognize that we aim to continually expand what we can offer our guests.”

In short, whether you visit for the theme‑park thrills or a 32‑year‑old single malt, the experience is sure to be unforgettable.

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